On Thursday, 24 July, the 2025 Leopards Lair® Student Pitching event showcased a vibrant celebration of innovative ideas. Held at the D’Vine VenU on the Potchefstroom Campus, the event highlighted exceptional student talent across two categories: Side Hustles and Research-Based Ventures.

TTIS and the bhive Enterprise Development Centre collaborated to host an event that brought together a panel of esteemed judges, industry professionals, staff, and students, creating an atmosphere of ambition and creativity.

Leopards Lair® is emerging as an exciting platform for student-driven business ideas that are both sustainable and socially responsible. In an effort to promote involvement across all faculties, this year’s competition was launched under the theme “Battle of the Faculties”.

Side hustle category

The winner of the Side Hustle category was Tshepang Nkwe, from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS). The judges were impressed by the innovation and practical application of his business, RoomNest, a digital platform offering listings and transactions for safe and affordable student accommodation.

“Three years have passed since I first entered this competition, and I’m truly grateful that I never gave up. I’m thrilled to have won, and I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my mentor, Dr Annelie Steenkamp, for her incredible support,” he stated.

Second place went to Maxwell Sikhosana (also FNAS) for his Exuberance Vending Catalyst, offering a touch, grab and go vending machine service tailored for consumers on the go. Third place went to Elton Tshisi (Faculty of Humanities) for Botaki ba Sehenye, a performing arts solution designed to help emerging artists and music graduates secure support.

Research-Based Ventures

The winner of the 2025 Research-Based Ventures category was Agreement Sibiya with Bambo Queen ReStyle Africa. She is a Consumer Sciences student at the Mahikeng Campus. Her innovative, AI-powered fashion platform provides African women in rural and small-town communities with unique fashion ideas and styling services, including sourcing of garments.

“I initially doubted my business idea and even considered changing to something totally different for the final. However, I was persuaded to stick with my original idea and it was encouraging to see how others could recognise the potential greatness of my business. This opportunity has provided me with the best learning experience ever, and I will continue to learn," she said.

In this category, Isabel Strauss from the Faculty of Law secured second place for her unique Founders Circle initiative, which links aspiring entrepreneurs with co-founders, mentors, collaborators, and open-source tools for venture building. Omiie Choane, a master’s student in Communication (Faculty of Humanities), received third prize for her venture idea, Lentswe, an innovative mobile application designed to be a dual-medium (English and vernacular) community news platform with ordinary and digital literacy training features. She plans to pilot it among Setswana- and Sepedi-speaking communities in Botswana, the North-West Province and Limpopo.

Ms Nontombi Maseko, Director for Innovation and Technology at the Department of Trade and Industry, who served as a judge for the event, praised the innovative ideas presented during the pitches. “The pitched ideas are highly practical and relevant, requiring just a few tweaks to ensure their functionality,” she said.

During his welcoming address, Prof Herman van der Merwe, Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, stressed the need to foster entrepreneurial spirits among NWU students.

Prof Leenta Grobler, a member of the Leopards Lair® coordinating committee, thanked all the stakeholders, staff and students in attendance for their support. She emphasised the importance of developing not only new ideas and businesses, but also new entrepreneurs. Leopards Lair® provides that opportunity at NWU.

Tshepang Nkwe receives his award for winning the Side Hustle category, alongside one of the judges, Mr Dumi Moyakhe.

 

Agreement Sibiya, winner of the Research-Based Ventures category, shares her special moment with Eagi and Ms Nontombi Maseko, one of the judges.

 

The judging panel (from left to right): Mr Dumi Moyakhe (Moyakhe Industries), Ms Nontombi Maseko (the dtic), and Mr Tim Laurens (Kisch IP).

 

The finalists of the 2025 Leopards Lair® student pitching competition